Spider web blocking apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus configured to attach to a head worn apparatus, such as, but not limited to, a hat or helmet. The invention includes a frame having one or more web blocking attachment points for coupling to the frame one or more plurality of web blocking elements. The web blocking elements are positioned in front of the person’s face to provide a surface for catching, or blocking, spiderwebs before they make contact with a person’s face. The frame is dimensioned with headgear attachment grooves configured to attach the frame to a portion of a hat, helmet, or other apparatus worn on a person’s head.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S Provisional Pat. Application 63/296,112, filed Jan. 3, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to gear and apparatuses worn on a person’s head during outdoor activities. The invention further relates to gear and apparatuses that are attached to a hat or helmet and configured to prevent spiderwebs from coming into contact with a user’s face.

BACKGROUND

Outdoor enthusiasts and sportsmen often encounter spiderwebs while walking, hiking, or biking. It is annoying and irritating when a spiderweb makes contact with one’s face. Thus, there is a need for gear or an apparatus that prevents a spiderweb from making contact with a person’s face while the person is enjoying outdoor activities.

SUMMARY

The invention is an apparatus configured to attach to a head worn apparatus, such as, but not limited to, a hat or helmet. The invention includes a frame having one or more web blocking attachment points for coupling to the frame one or more plurality of web blocking elements. The web blocking elements are positioned in front of the person’s face to provide a surface for catching, or blocking, spiderwebs before they make contact with a person’s face. The frame is dimensioned with headgear attachment grooves configured to attach the frame to a portion of a hat, helmet, or other apparatus worn on a person’s head.

Further, the invention has pivot, rotatable or frame slide mechanisms that allow the invention to be folded while attached to the head worn apparatus or carried in the person’s pocket when not needed for blocking webs.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention including the features, advantages and specific embodiments, reference is made to the following detailed description along with accompanying Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention as mounted on a bicycle helmet; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the making and using of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention is discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. Some features of the preferred embodiments shown and discussed may be simplified or exaggerated for illustrating the principles of the invention.

The invention includes, inter alia, a frame comprising a right and left frame component, an elastic tensioner to be positioned within the right and left frame components to allow the frame to be extended or retracted; a right side spider web blocking element; and a left side spider web blocking element; and set screws for tightening the right side and left side web blocking elements to the frame. The frame includes grooves for being received by a hat or head gear visor.

The frame further includes apertures at each right and left ends thereof dimensioned to receive the ends of each respective web blocking element. The frame further comprises two frame sub-elements that mate together with a sliding mechanism with an elastomeric tensioner therein-between and secured with rounded ends within each frame sub-element. In this manner, the frame is expandable with an elasticated tensioner to allow expansion and contraction to fit on a variety of different head pieces.

The one or plurality of web blocking elements comprise a semi-flexible but resilient material that attach to the frame and extend out from the frame in a manner as to provide a surface in front of the person’s face for blocking, or catching, spiderwebs.

The frame includes grooves with, in some embodiments, snaps, that couple the frame to the bill or visor, of a hat or helmet. The invention further includes set screws to lock the web blocking elements in a desired position.

Referring now to the Figures, as seen in FIG. 1 , there is a front view of the invention. As seen therein, the invention includes, inter alia, a frame 105, a left side spider web blocking element 102A; and a right-side spider web blocking element 102B. The frame includes upward facing grooves 104A, 104B for being received by a hat or head gear visor and horizontal grooves 103A, 103B.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , there is a top view of the invention. As seen therein, the invention includes, inter alia, a frame 105, a left side spider web blocking element 102A; and a right-side spider web blocking element 102B.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , there is an exploded perspective view of the invention. As seen therein, the invention includes, inter alia, a frame 105 comprising a right and left frame component 304A, 304B, an elastic tensioner 303 to be embedded within the right and left frame components 304A, 304B to allow the frame 105 to be extended or retracted; a left side spider web blocking element 102A; and a right-side spider web blocking element 102B; and set screws 308A, 308B for tightening the right side and left side web blocking elements to the frame.

The frame further includes apertures 301A, 307B at each left and right ends thereof dimensioned to receive the ends 306A, 306B of each respective web blocking element 102A, 102B. The frame further comprises two frame sub-elements 304A, 304B that mate together with a sliding mechanism with an elastomeric tensioner 303 therein-between and secured with rounded ends within each frame sub-element. In this manner, the frame is expandable with an elasticated tensioner to allow expansion and contraction to fit on a variety of different head pieces.

The one or plurality of web blocking elements 102A, 102B comprise a semi-flexible but resilient material that attach to the frame and extend out from the frame in a manner as to provide a surface in front of the person’s face for blocking, or catching, spiderwebs.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , there is a perspective view of the invention as mounted on a bicycle helmet. As seen therein, the frame is attached to the helmet visor and web blocking elements 102A, 102B comprising semi-flexible but resilient material that attach to the frame and extend out from the frame in a manner as to provide a surface in front of the person’s face for blocking, or catching, spiderwebs.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , there is a perspective view of the invention. As seen therein, the frame 105 with ends 101A, 101B includes web blocking elements 102A, 102B comprising semi-flexible but resilient material that attach to the frame 105 and extend out from the frame 105 in a manner as to provide a surface in front of the person’s face for blocking, or catching, spiderwebs.

The invention is a spiderweb blocking apparatus comprising a frame comprising right and left frame components, an elastic tensioner embedded within the right and left frame components to allow the frame to be extended or retracted; and a right-side spider web blocking element; and a left side spider web blocking element. The spiderweb blocking apparatus further comprises a set screws for tightening the right side and left side web blocking elements to the frame. The spiderweb blocking apparatus of claim further comprises grooves formed within the frame adapted to receive the edges of a helmet or hat visor. The invention further is a spiderweb blocking apparatus in combination with a helmet or hat. The invention is a spiderweb blocking apparatus wherein the right-side spider web blocking element; and left-side spider web blocking element comprise semi-flexible but resilient material. The invention further is a spiderweb blocking apparatus wherein the frame further comprises apertures at the left end and right end dimensioned to receive the ends of each respective web blocking element.

The frame is fabricated from a plastic, polymer, aluminum and/or metal material and the right-side spider web blocking element and a left side spider web blocking element are made from a plastic, polymer, rubber material and are cylindrically shaped or flat elongated shapes.

The invention is further a headgear apparatus, comprising; a frame, further comprising a right and left frame component, an elastic tensioner positioned within, and coupled to the right and left frame components to allow the frame to be extended or retracted; a right-side spider web blocking element coupled to the right side of the frame; and a left side spider web blocking element coupled to the left side of the frame and extending orthogonally therefrom; and a right side and a left side set screw configured to be screwed into the frame and make contact with each of the right side and left side spider web blocking elements respectively, for tightening the right side and left side web blocking elements to the frame. The headgear apparatus further comprises grooves formed within the frame adapted to receive the edges of a helmet or hat visor. The headgear apparatus is claimed in combination with a helmet or hat. The right-side spider web blocking element; and left-side spider web blocking element comprise semi-flexible but resilient material. The frame further comprises apertures at the left end and right end dimensioned to receive the ends of each respective web blocking element. The frame is fabricated from a plastic, polymer, aluminum and/or metal material and the right-side spider web blocking element and a left side spider web blocking element are made from a plastic, polymer, rubber material and are cylindrically shaped or flat elongated shapes.

The embodiments shown and described above are only exemplary. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, the disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms used herein. Various alterations, modifications and substitutions can be made to the disclosed invention without departing in any way from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What we claim is:
 1. A spiderweb blocking apparatus comprising: a frame comprising right and left frame components; an elastic tensioner embedded within the right and left frame components to allow the frame to be extended or retracted; a right-side spider web blocking element; and a left side spider web blocking element.
 2. The spiderweb blocking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising set screws for tightening the right side and left side web blocking elements to the frame.
 3. The spiderweb blocking apparatus of claim 1, further comprising grooves formed within the frame adapted to receive the edges of a helmet or hat visor.
 4. The spiderweb blocking apparatus of claim 3 in combination with a helmet.
 5. The spiderweb blocking apparatus of claim 3 in combination with a hat.
 6. The spiderweb blocking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the right-side spider web blocking element; and left-side spider web blocking element comprise semi-flexible but resilient material.
 7. The spiderweb blocking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises apertures at the left end and right end dimensioned to receive the ends of each respective web blocking element.
 8. The spiderweb blocking apparatus of claim 1, where in the frame is fabricated from a plastic, polymer, aluminum and/or metal material and the right-side spider web blocking element and a left side spider web blocking element are made from a plastic, polymer, rubber material and are cylindrically shaped or flat elongated shapes.
 9. A headgear apparatus, comprising; a frame, further comprising a right and left frame component; an elastic tensioner positioned within, and coupled to the right and left frame components to allow the frame to be extended or retracted; a right-side spider web blocking element coupled to the right side of the frame; a left side spider web blocking element coupled to the left side of the frame and extending orthogonally therefrom; and a right side and a left side set screw configured to be screwed into the frame and make contact with each of the right side and left side spider web blocking elements respectively, for tightening the right side and left side web blocking elements to the frame.
 10. The headgear apparatus of claim 9, further comprising grooves formed within the frame adapted to receive the edges of a helmet or hat visor.
 11. The headgear apparatus of claim 9, in combination with a helmet.
 12. The headgear apparatus of claim 9, in combination with a hat.
 13. The headgear apparatus of claim 9, wherein the right-side spider web blocking element and left-side spider web blocking element comprise semi-flexible but resilient material.
 14. The headgear apparatus of claim 9, wherein the frame further comprises apertures at the left end and right end dimensioned to receive the ends of each respective left end and right end web blocking element.
 15. The headgear apparatus of claim 9, wherein the frame is fabricated from a plastic, polymer, aluminum and/or metal material and the right-side spider web blocking element and a left side spider web blocking element are made from a plastic, polymer, rubber material and are cylindrically shaped or flat elongated shapes. 